Camden County prepping for weekend storm system
Camden County is diligently monitoring the developments of a storm system threatening to deliver snow and significant wind to our region this weekend. Preparations are already underway to respond to the inclement conditions and keep traffic moving in Camden County.
“What makes this storm different is the wind that will brings drifting, reduced visibility and the potential for downed trees and power lines,” said freeholder Ian Leonard, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works. “Our public works employees are on standby. Our equipment has been prepped and trucks are loaded with product to address any and all situations that may arise.”
Today’s cold and wind is just a preview for a more intense weather system later this weekend. A storm could bring steady snow this evening that will taper off by midnight after delivering one to two inches of accumulation. Dangerously cold wind chill follows this system due to gusts in excess of 60 miles-per-hour making it feel between -10 and -20 on Sunday.
At the public works complex in Lindenwold, more than 90 pieces of equipment stand ready to keep county roadways passable and motorists moving. If the weather becomes treacherous personnel will be dispatched to 12 winter maintenance districts to address salt and plow 1,200 lane miles of roadways across Camden County. The county’s response plan calls for crews to be dispatched only to the zones where they are needed.
“As always, when the weather turns hazardous we recommend that motorists remain cautious and give themselves extra time to reach their destinations,” Leonard said. “Anyone on the roadways during these times should be prepared to encounter low visibility and slick road conditions. Remember to leave at least six car lengths behind our DPW vehicles while they work, and move any cars off the street and into a driveway while we continue our plowing operations.”
In the event that the weather causes isolated power outages, please remember to immediately call your utility company so they can identify the location and coordinate crews to restore your power. This storm has the potential to bring down trees and power lines residents need to be extra cognizant of any power failures. Below are numbers and contact info for the two power providers in Camden County:
- PSE&G: (1–800) 436–7734
- PSEG website: http://pseg.com/home/customer_service/outage_info/index.jsp
- Atlantic City Electric: (1–800) 833–7476
- Atlantic City Electric website: http://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home/
- South Jersey Gas: (1–800) 582–7060
- South Jersey Gas website: http://southjerseygas.com/
As always, please use 911 for emergencies only. If you see a problem on a county road, please call the county’s 24-hour hotline at (856) 566–2980 to report it to public works.
